New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-05-23
THE CELTIC AND BRITANNIC COLLISION

THE CELTIC md BRITANNIA COLLISION.
The collision between the steamers Celtic
and Britannia, both of the White Star Line,last
Thursday afternoon, in fOggy weather, some
$50 miles from Sandy Hook, appears to nave
been one of those accidents which no foresight
or precaution can avert and which reflect blame
unon no one. 1t is fortunate when, as In the
present instance, what might 30 easily nave
been great disaster is escaped, however mar
rowly. The fog is clearly accountable Tor the
failure of both captains to get the true direc-
ton of the whistles. There is no state OF the
atmosphere which so DISCUSSES and defects
sound as fog, and this Professor 1yndalPs
governments have demonstrated very
clearly. The same fog concealed the
vessels from the lookouts until they
were too near to escape collision. Even then
the promptness Of Captain Perry, OF the bri-
fannie, probably prevented stem-to-stem
shock which would have been much moro dan
gerous than that which was actually sustained.
The thorough preparation of the White Star
steamers was shown in the fact that for once In
a marine collision q watertight compartment
proved to be in working order, and to TINS the
return Of the Britannia is due.
The Celtc's compartments must have been
in equally good order, for she can hardly
have escaped leakage in her bows.
She, however, no doubt favored, as
were both the vessels, by calm weather,
made her way to Sandy Hook unasslsted. I'm
happily, some loss of life occurred on the Bri-
fannie, partly, it seems, from the crush of the
momentary panic, and partly from the fall OF
part of the steamers rigging. Some confusion
also followed the order of Captain Perry to
lower the boats, and q few men lost their
heads and tried to save themselves IN wild
and selfish way. Discipline, however, soon
prevailed and the steerage passengers were
mostly got of safely and found refuge on
board the Celtic. Many prominent people
we're on the Britannia en- route to Europe, and
they have an exciting experience and marrow
escape to chronicle. A little more Roadway on
the Celtic, a little less on the Britannia, a
slower response to the latter vessels helm, and
the two great steamers would have met stem
on, and very possibly have sunk one another
| then and there.
No doubt it will be said that the steamers
were going too fast. That is sure to be said
on such occasions. But certainly both had
slackened speed because of the fog, though
the modern greyhound passenger steamer is
not permitted either by public opinion or cor
! poration orders to stand still when any pro-
gress can be made. The most curious circum-
stance is the coming together of these two
vessels of the same line, the one homeward.
the other outward bound. Its an illustration OF
the steamer lane theory in rather new light, for
while it shows careful and exact steering and
accurate navigation on both sides, it'also sue-
gests that the lane-route plan is susceptible OF
oyerelaboration. The conveyance of the out
ward and homeward routes on nearing the des-
tination does not seem to present. any danger, but
it appears that the very perfection OF seaman
ship may sometimes create peril under these
conditions. The discipline on both steamers
is said to have been good. Officers and men
were cool and resourceful. All was done that
could be done in the circumstances. Judging
from the latest reports, the injury to the Bri-
| tannic must have been greater than at first
believed, for she Is said to be making water
notwithstanding her compartments. 1t is to be
hoped that she can DO hghtened enough to got